Another delicious edition of Waiting on Wednesday brought to you by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison
THE TRANSFORMATION
Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.
THE LOVE AFFAIR
When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.
THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?
THE HEARTBREAK
The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.
What a great week!!! I am so pumped about what all came in the mail this week! Thanks again to The Story Siren for hosting this edition of In My Mailbox!! Go check out her site for all kinds of goodies!!
The biggest news for me is that Becca Fitzpatrick was gracious enough to get me a copy of her book Hush, Hush and it is freakin' amazing!!! I couldn't put it down... the review is already up!!
For Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick Tricks by Ellen Hopkins Pure by Terra Elan McVoy
I love Holly Hobbie and am so glad that I was sent this book because Kylie loves to read and she got the honor of being my first guest blogger! Holly takes us through the adventure of Annabelle’s adventure written by none other than Fanny. The story is absolutely adorable and I love how Fanny writes different “chapters” to her story. It shows the creative mind of a child perfectly. We have now read the book four times and I am sure that we will be reading it more. The writing is very well adapted for younger children which is nice… not too much on one page (just enough to keep their interest before they are ready to turn the page!!). Definitely one you want to read again and again with the kiddies!!
My cousin pointed me in the direction of these lovely things....
Adjustable, vinyl book covers!!! How awesome!! This one and many others are the creation of Tattered Tapestry whom you should totally check out!! I love the reasons why she created them! Also, check out her Etsy store Owl Say for more... I am off to order my own!!
Hello to all you authors and publicists out there!!
I am heading back to teach my lovely students and would love to have bookmarks, posters, snickers, or any other nick knacks to give out in my classroom and in the library at our school!! I have a HUGE book order in with my super librarian with so many new books it isn't even funny thanks to you guys and would love to have the swag to back it up. Anything would be greatly appreciated and is assured to fly away from me like wildfire!!
Also, if you have anything that you are willing to part with for giveaways for the blog they would be greatly appreciated as well! Thanks for all the awesome things you do and I can't wait to hear from you!!
Please contact me if you have any swag that you would like to send at randomchalktalk@gmail.com!!
I know it isn't Wednesday, but this one looks amazing!!!
Secret Society by Tom Dolby
Three Upper East Side teens discover that they have been tapped for the Society, an elite order with roots dating back to ancient Egypt. Once they accept membership, they stand to benefit beyond their wildest dreams, with one caveat: Once they get in, they can never get out. Privilege, as they discover, has a very high price…
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 13, 2009)
As you may recall, my very first WoW featured the book Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.I was lucky enough for Becca to contact me via Twitter and offer to send me a copy and I was so pumped. I got it in the mail on Saturday and finished it today!! Yet again, this is one you need to run to the bookstore for when it comes out!
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
Beca is an amazing author and entrances the reader with the mesmerizing story of Nora and Patch. Just when you think you have everything figured out she throws you for a loop that you don’t expect. I could not put this book down (just ask Chris). Becca has written all of her characters to be completely believable and you are able to put yourself in Nora’s shoes. I felt her frustration in not understanding what was going on and the confusion that she felt when it came to her feelings for Patch. I love that there is so much mystery around Patch and that no matter what her best friend Vee or even her counselor have to say about him, she just can’t stay away.Patch’s arrogance is also endearing to his character and though it may drive Nora crazy, I truly believe it is what draws her to him. He is confident and sure of himself where that is an area she struggles with.This is one of those books that has a little bit of everything for everyone: mystery, murder, drama, suspense, love, and so much more! I love too that in my ARC I was able to see how Becca ended the story in two different ways… makes me feel like I have an inside scoop on what is going on!! I like both of them but one I like more... but you won’t ever find out which one that is! I love that there is going to be a sequel to this because she ended the book with just enough loose ends to make you go, “Wait a minute? It can’t end there!!” This book comes highly recommended and is guaranteed not to stay on my bookshelf!!
Check out Becca’s site for more fun info as well as the fansite for Hush, Hush!!
Also, here are two videos that explore what Becca and her editor have to say about Hush, Hush and the process of getting it to where it is today!!
Another great edition of things to come hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!!
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret StohlThere were no surprises in Gatlin County.We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.At least, that's what I thought.Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.There was a curse.There was a girl.And in the end, there was a grave.Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.
This weeks feature was also the feature of Trailer Tuesday this week!! Make sure you check it out too!! Beautiful Creatures will be hitting a bookshelf near you on December 1, 2009!!
Brent Bishop is a typical new kid. He is worried about his status in the school and wants desperately to have the popular Brianna on his arm and goes to great lengths to make that happen, including putting himself out there at a party. Brianna, however, has other ideas about her life and Brent suffers public humiliation after she rejects him in front of everyone at the party.Brent leaves the party after he has been drinking and decides that life isn’t worth it anymore and decides to end his life. His reckless driving causes the death of a stranger though instead of himself.Lea was a stranger to Brent but to those who knew her she was a highly driven, talented, and well liked senior in high school. Brent’s parents think they are helping by trying to minimize his sense of guilt, but Brent is continuously tormented by what he has done and wants to make amends and have some resolution to his mistake. Lea’s mother wants to meet with Brent and asks him to "make four whirligigs, of a girl that looks like Lea....Then set them up in Washington, California, Florida, and Maine the corners of the United States." She believes that this will be enough of a punishment for him and over the course of his journey Brent is able to find himself as well as so much more.
This is one of those books that when my students ask me what they should read I automatically run to the shelf for. I love Fleischman’s novel because it has so many layers to it and it flows so well.We are able to watch Brent’s journey of forgiveness of himself as well as the impact the whirligig’s have on those he meets.We see the creation of each whirligig and the multiple layers and meanings behind it and the bystanders who are also impacted by the whirligig: a young violinist, a Holocaust survivor, a Puerto Rican street-sweeper. I love that this book is different from others because there is so much emotion in Brent and it comes through him in a very relatable way.Brent is a believable character because Fleischman writes him as such.Readers are able to see Brent grown and learn as he creates each whirligig and see his emotional response to his creations.This is a brief work but so much is packed in that you might miss out on something if you read too fast. I love that Fleischman has so much packed into this masterpiece and every time I point someone to it they always come away with a reaction of amazement for what they are walking away with.
coming home to find this waiting on me!! Kylie and I went to Florida to see my cousin get married and it was a nice, relaxing break. Here is a picture of them....
Along with the chaos of traveling I have been busy getting Kylie ready to start school which has backlogged me so I am playing catchup now! Thanks for the patience and there are many good things to come!!
And some exciting news.... I got an advanced copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick in the mail (it was one of those lovely packages) and I am LOVING it.... remember it was one of my Waiting on Wednesdays?! So exciting!!
Another compelling edition of Waiting on Wednesday brought to you by Jill at Breaking the Spine!!!
Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
Restless souls and empty hearts. Brooklyn can’t sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca died a year ago, and now their friend Gabe has died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there, waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca chasing her through her dreams.
Nico can’t stop. He’s always running, trying so hard not to feel the pain of missing Lucca. But when he begins receiving messages from his dead brother, telling him to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.
As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.
Wow.... I seriously cannot wait for this one. I love Lisa's other novels and can't wait to see what she has in store for us with Chasing Brooklyn!! It is another one of those that is coming out in early 2010 and it can't come soon enough!!
Kristen Stewart and Michael Angarano starred in the 2003 adaptation of this book directed by Jessica Sharzer.
High school is hard enough for teens but add to it the drama of losing friends and causing the “it party” of the summer to be crashed and you are destined for disaster. Melinda Sordino begins her school year just like that. She gets on the bus and no one will sit with her, she goes through the school day and no one will talk to her and she finds it easier to stay quiet than speak.Melinda was the cause of the party to be broken up and a few of the party goers to be arrested. No one knows why she called the police and if they did, she fears they wouldn’t believe her anyway. Being raped by a popular senior when you are an upcoming freshman in high school isn’t something that most would believe anyway, right? The trauma that she is forced to deal with daily is the cause of her silence.Melinda goes through her school year without uttering a word and facing the constant harassment of her classmates only to find some solstice in her art class. Melinda finds her outlet in art and through her teacher and eventually finds her voice again.
Laurie Halse Anderson does an amazing job showing how tragedy can take you down one of many roads; in this case it is the path of self preservation.I loved this book for many reasons. I love that Melinda is the scapegoat in this book and that readers are forced to look at all scapegoats in a different light. It is easy to place blame and continue to think of the person who broke up the party, got us caught doing what we weren’t supposed to be doing anyway, or any number of things.Yet they may have a reason behind it all and are suffering more than we realize underneath it all.Melinda’s metamorphosis throughout the book is laced with gritty realism, symbolism, and so much more.The writing, tone, and style are unlike most and that makes it an even more fascinating read.The writing completely sucks you in and you are able to feel Melinda’s pain and triumph in the novel.This is definitely a must read for all teens!!
I am a middle school Reading teacher and coach, an avid reader and book lover, a mom to Kylie and Jaxon, wife to Chris, and am dedicated to getting the good books in the hands of others!
